F430 Header Failure - what Ferrari Said

So for those who followed the previous thread about my issue with the noise of the MK2 versions being quieter, this is what Ferrari said:

"I asked once more my colleagues here in Wiesbaden and also in Maranello about your statement that the new manifolds shall be quieter than the older version.

Nobody ever heard of that nor was any customer ever complaining/notifying this.

The only difference is, as I already noted in my first mail, that the tone is slightly different.

Further I want to inform you that both versions of manifolds F430 have pre-catalysers inside; there is no functional difference between the 2 types of manifolds. These pre-catalysers are needed and cannot be removed due to emission regulations at cold start.

The manifolds of the Scuderia are different in terms of dimension and the Scuderia has a different emission control at cold start, so these manifolds cannot be used on the F430.

About your question to install the old version of manifolds F430 on your car, Ferrari must deny this intervention because of 2 reasons:

The old version is not reliable enough, that’s why the new version was designed;

An eventual crack of the manifolds has a high risk to effect a serious engine damage. One of the reasons for the redesign was that in case of cracks, the pre-catalysts can be damaged as well and the engine will aspirate small pieces of the pre-catalysts. This will effect an engine damage because these pieces get in the combustion chamber and burn into the inner engine parts. The consequence would be a complete overhauling of the engine or complete replacement of it.


I’m sure that this information convinces you that the only reasonable possibility is the new version of manifolds."

 

If you bought a used 430 like I did, how would you know if the manifolds are ok or not? What model years are in question? Is it a recall issue? Is there a visual difference in the new style vs the old?

 

Visually the Lambda O2 Sensor is higher up in the centre of the header in the Mk2 version, vs been near the exit point of the header on the Mk1

 

Thanks very much Richard for sharing this.

This is a very serious and important Ferrari statement where they admit that the old MK1 exhaust headers can directly lead to serious engine damage requiring an engine replacement. They also confirms that all F430/Scud headers have pre-cats even those for EUR cars! This is new information as we always thought that the EUR cars did not have the pre-cats (as it was confirmed previously by Ferrari Dealers).

 

I suspected Pre-cats in Europe version but am still surprised

 

Thanks for sharing this info. Although quieter, I'm glad they are replaced with the upgraded units.

 

The old headers have a part number for the left side and a different part number for the right side. The new headers have only one number and include both sides - apparently you can only get them as a set now.

It is not a recall issue. They will only replace them if they are leaking and within the 8 year warranty period.

Not sure if you can tell the difference visually.

ChampIII

 

Just got MK2's on my F430 and I'll be honest, I think they sound great. I don't get the talk of them being quieter. Maybe the newest ones have been further reengineered, doubt it, but my take is that the tone is a little lower, little more growl, and for some reason the valves seem to be opening a little sooner now, which I like. My take is they're actually a little louder, not quieter. Very happy. No aftermarket for me.

 

Same here. Got one 2 weeks ago , they sound great not sure why everyone think they are quieter.

 

I never noticed a difference and I put a lot of miles on both sets. However, mine were changed when they were just barely leaking---not audible yet. I think if people let them get to a point where they are leaking pretty bad, they are also louder but the change was so slow they didn't notice until the new ones are installed which suddenly seem quiter.

Dave

 

mine were just changed as well.
2005 with 6k miles.
have not picked it up yet but will report back on loudness factor.
leaking was not severe so likely no big difference in sound as noted.
but i was happy to get it done within the 8 yr window!

 

How do you know if the headers are leaking? I can't imagine picking up a small tone change or leaking noise when the car exhaust and engine sounds are pretty loud in general? I have a '08 Scud, I heard the Scuderia doesn't have as much issues with the headers?

Will

 

Most of the time they are diagnosed with a visual inspection. I'm sure the tone difference is imperceptible unless the leak is huge.

 

You shouldn't have such issues with the Scud headers, well at least we hope that with time, no leaks will be reported. Many Scud's still have quite few miles. As posted in the other thread, the Scud headers have a total different design compared to the F430. So be reinsured Will and enjoy your car

 

To echo DoctorWill's question about diagnosing cracks in your header, for those of you who had your headers replaced did you visually see cracks? Were they easily noticeable?

I just want to be vigilant to make sure that my headers dont crack and lead to a larger problem.

 

You won't see the cracks but you can see the heat marks on the heat insulation cover. The problem is that you can see this only from under the car after having removed the large underbody panel. Here's a picture of my broken headers where you can see these heat marks made by the broken exhaust pipes.
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as we used to say at Hopkins. the sphincter tone was so tight that only dogs could hear us fart.
so i had my dog listen, and he said they were cracked due to increase in volume!


just have your dealer check when its in for service

 

I'm taking mine next week as the annuals due as well.

 

Stef: thanks for your post, I appreciate the informative pictures and advice.

 

I would love to see that header pictured with the cover removed. I wonder if those headers look like the destroyed ones seen in the 355's.

 

Stef, were those headers actually diagnosed as bad and leaking? I thought you just replaced for performance / preventative reasons. Obviously they have heat marks but I imagine one would expect that.

 

It looks like the heat shield design has changed ever so slightly from SfefVan's original:

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=343691

 

Hey,

It may be down to "poor" English, but I'm not 100% certain that this is what they're saying;

They said;

Doesn't a "different EC system" suggest there may be more than dimensional differences?

Not trying to confuse the issue, but I read it a little differently. Hopefully I'm wrong!

Cheers,
Ian

 

well EU does have different regs but it is simply cheaper for Ferrari to slap the same product on both EU & US cars, Sadly

 

Yes Greg. I had serious doubts about my MK1 headers (already replaced once with the same MK1 headers...) Some signs like non-catalysed exhaust smell at cold start was a real sign + the typical insulation material dust blowing out the headers.

During some rainy/snowing winter days I will remove the cover to discover how really bad it is. I hope it won't be something like this
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